Why see it?

This fine bed of red and blue velvet is called the ‘Warming Pan Bed’, because tradition has it that this was the very bed in which Mary of Modena, wife of James II, gave birth in 1688. 

This event was highly controversial, because it provided the Catholic king with an heir. 

His enemies claimed that in fact Mary’s baby had miscarried, and that an imposter had been smuggled into the bed in a warming-pan and planted upon the people as a false prince. 

This was one of the events leading to the so-called ‘Glorious Revolution’ in which James II was deposed from the throne.

Although the bed has James II’s cipher on the headcloth – which is appropriate – the bed has been much messed-around with, and how much, if any, of it, really belonged to the warming pan incident is debatable.  Good story, though!

During Enchanted Palace this room is called 'The Room of Royal Sorrows' and explores the tragic story of Mary II.

More information

Until recently, Mary of Modena's bed was removed from display for conservation to both wooden and textile elements.

It is the oldest bed in the Historic Royal Palaces collection, with the earliest part being the counterplane, c.1650-80.